Brand Strategy Blog

May 2, 2017

Air Samples Confirm Secondhand Vapor Harmless

Results from a recent air sample confirm thatthe amount of toxic substances present in air where vaping is taking place are insignificant.

Air sampling throughout vape shops has been conducted by the California Department of Public Health. The project is part of a larger initiative designed to test air samples in vape shops around the state to determine the health impact of secondhand vape exposure.

Dr. Michael Siegel stated that the results for the report were only taken from small, non-ventilated vape shops. This is clearly not an accurate representation of vape shops or the air therein across the state. But this was not their only scientific sin. The study also only visited vape shops where the employees and total 13 customers were actively vaping while the sample was taking place. This is important because situations, where active vaping is going on, will produce a high level of exposure to secondhand vapor. Combined, the subject vape shops presented unfavorable conditions, something that should have stopped the publication from seeing the light of day.

Yet, perhaps most impressive is that in spite of these unprofessional attempts to rig the game, so to speak, the results still showed no dangerous levels of exposure to hazardous chemicals. Dr. Michael Siegel pointed out, “This study, although conducted under very high exposure conditions in a small, non-ventilated vape shop with many employees and customers vaping and clouds of vapor visible, did not document any dangerous levels of exposure to any hazardous chemical.”

The results of the study found the following outcomes in the air samples:

 Nicotine: Not detected

 Glycidol: Not detected

 Formaldehyde: 7.2 ppb

 Diacetyl: Not detected using standard method

 2,3-Pentanedione: Not detected using standard method

 Acetyl butyryl: Not detected using standard method

 Acetoin: Not detected using standard method

 Acetone: Not detected

 Ethyl benzene: Not detected

 m,p-Xylene: Not detected

 o-Xylene: Not detected

 Toluene: Not detected

 Acetaldehyde: Not detected

 Acetonitrile: Not detected

 alpha-pinene: Not detected

 Benzene: Not detected

 Chloroform: Not detected

 d-Limonene: Not detected

 Methylene chloride: Not detected

 Methyl methacrylate: Not detected

 n-Hexane: Not detected

 Styrene: Not detected

Fears of Formaldehyde

One of the things most disconcerting to readers about the results is the presence of formaldehyde. Associated with mortuaries, it is important to note that the levels detected in this study are actually consistent with normal levels found in all air indoors and outdoors. Much like radiation being present in each body, there is formaldehyde present too.

Dr. Siegel stated that, “This study, although conducted under very high exposure conditions in a small, non-ventilated vape shop with many employees and customers vaping and clouds of vapor visible, did not document any dangerous levels of exposure to any hazardous chemical. Nicotine exposure was essentially non-existent. Formaldehyde exposure was no different than in many indoor and outdoor environments at baseline. Acetone, acetoin, other aldehydes, toluene, benzene, and xylene were not detected. Chemicals that have been associated with “popcorn lung” were also not detected by the standard method.”

No Justification Found for Government Bans

The results are in—literally. The compromised standards and outcomes of this study are evidence to the fact that even in the most extreme of real-life conditions, secondhand vaping poses no significant health threats. Based on this evidence, and the other evidence out there, experts are struggling to find a reason or governments ban vaping in public spaces. Dr. Siegel pointed out that, “With regards to vaping, I just don’t see any reasonable evidence at this time that it poses any significant health hazard to bystanders.”

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